He studied ballet in St. Petersburg until 1922 and soon was dancing leading roles with the Kirov Ballet, of which he became artistic director in 1938. During 1944–56 and 1960–64 he was chief choreographer of the Bolshoi Ballet, and he became director of its school in 1964. His choreographic work, which began in 1930, included Fadetta (1934), Romeo and Juliet (1940), Giselle (1944), The Stone Flower (1954), and Night City (1961).